There are multiple reasons you may choose to opt for a big dog over a small one. Larger dogs tend to be calmer (the bigger they are, the more so this is the case), they tend to have fewer behavioral issues than littler dogs, are less prone to yappiness, and make great pets for highly active families. However, these dogs do also tend to cost more and need a fair bit more space around the house, not to mention exercise, than their little cousins do. If you have already factored all of this into your decision and have come to the conclusion that you have plenty of room in your heart (not to mention your home), then large Poodle mixes could be the companion pup for you. 

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Large Poodle Mixes: A Handy Guide

Goldendoodle

More medium-sized really than large, the beloved Goldendoodle is one of the most in-demand Doodles around. With their love of all people – and especially children, which comes from their Golden Retriever side – they make truly fabulous family pets. The Poodle aspect of their nature adds a level of intelligence that makes them much easier to train alongside reducing the amount these darling dogs shed, which is great news for those with allergies. However, larger Goodies can be a little too boisterous for truly teeny tots. 

how big will my puppy get

Bernedoodle

On the bigger side of large Poodle mixes, the Bernedoodle is another popular pet. These dogs are known as the gentle giants of the Doodle world, and for good reason. Like their Bernese Mountain Dog parent, they are as calm as they come with their patient affectionate natures and thick, shaggy tri-colored coats. These pups are at their happiest when hanging out with their family, small and shy children included. That being said, their attachment to their owners means these dogs can suffer badly from separation anxiety when left alone for too long. 

bernedoodle fleece coat

Labradoodle

One-half of these dogs are the nation’s favorite pet – the lovely Labrador Retriever. When combined with the sassy, smart Poodle, you get one hell of a hound, and how! Again more medium-sized than large, the leggy, lovely Labra is another firm favorite because of their loving and loyal nature, much like that of the Goldendoodle. However, these pups tend to be a little calmer,  a little more reserved, and a little more independent, making them a little easier to deal with for people who already have a lot on their plate. 

Aussiedoodle

Australian Shepherds are unique dogs indeed, with their coat of many colors and their (sometimes) grey/green eyes. It’s likely that those who originally paired these pups with Poodles were looking to capture something of these arresting looks. However, these dogs have a whole lot more to offer beyond that. Their working dog heritage means they have tons of energy and the kind of smarts that make them excellently trainable. For this reason, they do best in a home where they get plenty of both physical and mental stimulation. 

aussiedoodle on the beach

Irishdoodle

Far less known than pretty much every other type on this list, Irishdoodles are large Poodle mixes that bring all the charm of the stunning Irish Setter into the mix. With their friendly, happy-go-lucky personality and gorgeous russet-hued coats, they make wonderful family pets. Playful and up for anything; they are versatile dogs with pretty moderate exercise needs. They will happily accompany you on a hike or enjoy a snuggle day on the couch. With all that luscious long hair on both sides, you will need to work hard to keep up with their grooming, though. 

Pyredoodle

Another giant in our midst, Pyredoodles are large Poodle mixes that can grow up to 32 inches to the shoulder and weigh as much as 100 pounds! With their sheer size (and keep in mind, these are muscly as well as tall hounds), they can seem a little intimidating to those who don’t know them. However, these dogs are gentle and affectionate and can even be quite timid around strangers, so plenty of socialization is a must with these mutts. They are also easy to train unless they inherit too much of that Great Pyrenees stubbornness which can be a mile wide!

Saint Berdoodle

Almost as big as the Pyredoodle and certainly every bit as broad, Saint Berdoodles do tend to inherit the beauty (and size) of their rescue-dog Saint Bernard parents. Luckily these large Poodle mixes mix beauty with the low-shed qualities of the Poodle for a genial giant that doesn’t require quite so much coat maintenance (although you’ll likely still be looking at daily brushing). Saint Bernedoodles, with their kind, calm and serious demeanor, make excellent pets even for novice owners. While they may look big and scary, they are so clearly teddy bears at heart. 

Newfypoo

The Newfypoo is another less established Dood, again probably due to their massive size, not to mention the Newfoundland’s reputation for shedding and drooling. However, a sweeter dog you couldn’t wish to meet. So even-tempered, sociable, and downright lovely are they that playwright J. M. Barrie chose this breed to be Nana, the dog that cares for the Darling children in his famous novel Peter Pan. The Newfypoo inherits this laidback, loving nature but also benefits from being much less likely to shed all over the place. 

Sheepadoodle

Typically taking on the black and white coat colors of their Old English Sheep Dog side, but sometimes also found in solid black or even grey, Sheepadoodles are really eye-catching hounds. Loveable and lively, these pups will get along easily with most people, kids, and pets. In fact, despite their larger size, these dogs often like to think of themselves as little lapdogs, so be prepared for plenty of cuddles and kisses, not to mention getting a fair bit squashed when they try to settle down to sleep on you at every opportunity! 

Shepadoodle

Not to be confused with the Sheepadoodle above, Shepadoodles are what you get when you mix a Poodle with a German Shepherd. These are both super smart, highly athletic dogs, and so you’re going to need to factor that into the equation if you decide you want one of these striking pups. A daily half-hour around the block is not going to cut it in terms of exercise for these guys. However, if you are looking for a sporting companion dog or canine athlete that you can train to do a variety of activities, these are the ones for you. 

Shepadoodles

Bordoodle

Speaking of bright, the Border Collie is the most intelligent dog in the world, with Poodles right there behind them in the number two position. So you can expect your Bordoodle to top the charts in the brain stakes – and how! These dogs need A LOT of training and socialization to keep them mentally stimulated. If they don’t get this, they can become stubborn and start exhibiting unwanted behaviors like chewing and barking. However, with the time and the know-how, you can have A LOT of fun with one of these pups.  

bordoodle

Huskydoodle

Shepadoodles and Bordoodles may top the bright Doodle list, but the Huskydoodle hits the top spot for being the hardest working animal here. With their stunning Siberian Husky and Poodle parents, they have that quality bred into them from both sides of the equation. With that in mind, probably the most vital thing to know about Huskydoodles is that they are super active dogs. While they are friendly and affectionate enough to enjoy a good cuddle, they will require plenty of daily exercise to keep them happy and healthy. 

Boxerdoodle

Often inheriting the unique facial features of the brilliant Boxer, Boxerdoodles are cute large Poodle mixes indeed. Well, more medium than little usually… the larger ones tend to hit 25 inches to the shoulder. These dogs are sociable and playful, with their fighter-dog history far back in the past. Boxerdoodles do well with children; they love to goof around, but not necessarily so well with other dogs and smaller pets in the house. Socialization can help them to be around them outside, but these pups still tend to do best in a single pet family. 

Great Danoodle

Fans of Scooby-Doo will love this fab combination of The Great Dane with the (usually) standard Poodle. As notably large crosses, these dogs may not be for everyone, but those who do adopt one will never regret doing so. Great Danoodles are as lovely as they are large Poodle mixes with their athletic build and gregarious nature. Their size makes them excellent guard dogs. Strangers will think twice about approaching one of them unbidden. However, once you get to know them, you’ll see they are total cuddle monkeys. 

Giant Schnoodle

Tall, stately, and energetic as heck, Giant Schnoodles make a great addition to laid-back families who enjoy spending plenty of time in the great outdoors. They do have pretty high exercise needs and a bit more grooming than some of the other Doods on this list, though. These dogs are also very intelligent, meaning they will need plenty of toys and games to keep them busy. Both their parent pups, the Poodle and the Giant Schnauzer, are considered hypoallergenic, which makes one of these dogs a safe bet for anyone with allergies. 

Schnoodle Size

Rottle

While the non-Poodle pup in this combo, the Rottweiler, has a bit of a notorious past, owners of lovely Rottles would agree that these dogs make truly awesome pets. They are certainly highly intelligent and need plenty of exercise, but they are also very trainable dogs that delight in pleasing their people and learning new tricks and skills. These pups can grow a little too overprotective of their family, which is definitely something to be avoided, so plenty of early socialization is a must to get these dogs used to being around strangers and other dogs. 

Weimardoodle

A reasonably unknown Doodle, which in our opinion is a real shame, the Weimardoodle is a truly special kind of dog. Undoubtedly large (these pups can hit 70 pounds), they tend to favor the Poodle in terms of their appearance, with just a hint of hunter-hound Weimaraner in there too. These are loyal pooches who get very firmly attached to their owners and so can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone a lot. Happy and lively, these pretty pups do best in households where there is always someone to play with. 

Mastidoodle

Derived from the world’s largest breed of dog, the Mastiff, Mastidoodles are large Poodle mixes that can grow up to be pretty huge themselves at 32 inches and 120 pounds. Potentially as powerful and muscular as their non-Poodle parents, these dogs make excellent pets for those who can accommodate their great size, not to mention keep them well exercised and entertained too. Size aside, these dogs are darling at heart and quite calm and docile with their families. They don’t always do very well with strangers or dogs they don’t know, though, so that is something to be cautious of when talking one on. 

Flandoodle

You may not know very much about the Bouvier des Flandres (including how to pronounce that complicated name!). These large dogs were used for general farm work, including rounding up cows in Belgium. Flandoodles tend to inherit the rugged adventurer quality of those parents and couple it with the sassy intelligence of their Poodle ancestry. What you get is a keen, active canine that is great fun to have around, always on the go, that can be a little bit stubborn, and that will very definitely keep you on your toes. 

Irish Wolfadoodle

Also known as Woodles (not to be confused with Whoodles), Irish Wolfadoodles are, as you might expect, the combination of Irish Wolfhounds and Poodles. Bred in Ireland and used as both game hunters and war dogs, where they were used to pull men from their horses, the Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all canines but has long ago discarded the fearsome nature of their past. These days they are known for being clever, sociable pups, and these are qualities they pass on to their Irish Wolfadoodle offspring. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Large Poodle Mixes

What are the largest Poodle breeds?

While many of the dogs on this list would be considered medium-sized, there are a few that fall into the large or even giant categories. Most likely among the biggest are the Bernedoodle, Saint Berdoodle, Mastidoodle, Great Danoodle, Pyredoodle, Irish Wolfdoodle, and Newfypoo – okay, maybe there are a few more than we first thought! You’ll need to give some serious consideration to taking on one of these pups. Although the larger the dog, the sweeter and calmer they tend to be, so that is a definite advantage. 

What are those big dogs that look like Poodles?

The Poodle genes run pretty strong in Doodles, especially those of the generations that have more Poodle genes (obviously). So while the non-Poodle parent may change, the Doodle look seems to be pretty constant. Most will inherit the leggy athletic build, the sweet teddy-bear-like faces, the curly or wavy coat, and the sharp and alert nature. What will vary between Doods, aside from their temperament, of course, is their coat colors. The Poodle brings a lot to the mix, but some of the other breeds are limited here. 

How big will a Poodle mix get?

It’s tough to say how big one particular Poodle mix will get for a variety of reasons. Firstly, many breeds are combined with different sizes of Poodle, and so you get Toy, Miniature, Standard, and Giant variations. Alongside that, an individual dog’s size is also going to depend on the individual size of both parent breeds – so again a lot of variations. Probably the largest you might see is 30 inches to the shoulder and around 120 pounds. When purchasing your puppy, this is definitely a key question to ask the breeder! 

What is the best Poodle cross?

Again, there is no clear answer to this question because there is no one quality that makes a dog the best kind of that type of dog. All Doodles are perfect for specific kinds of house and family situations. As a category of dog (remember, Doodles are not classified as breeds just yet), Doodles are up there for their hybrid vigor and low-shed, ‘hypoallergenic’ qualities. Aside from that, you are going to have to pay special attention to the individual traits of each type to determine which one might be the best Poodle cross for you. 

Large Poodle Mixes: Final Thoughts

Bigger Doodles are firm favorites among those looking for a pup they can take along on walks, hikes, runs, or just generally out on whole family adventure days. If that’s you, then you’ll be happy to hear you have plenty of different kinds to pick from (or maybe not if you’re not a fan of making tricky decisions!) 

When deciding, you’ll want to take a look at the various different temperaments to ensure they will work well in your home (do they do well with small children, pets… do they need a lot of space, a garden, etc.) You’ll also want to think carefully about whether you have the time to dedicate to exercising them, caring for their coat, and playing with them. If you do and you’re ready to go for it, then we hope the details we have provided here on some of the more established larger Poodle mixes help you with your decision.